A fashionable sequel: J.Crew brand coming back to this Columbia-area shopping center

A clothier known for its trendy styles is returning, with a new look, to a popular Midlands shopping center after closing there a couple years ago.

J.Crew Factory is prepping a store in Trenholm Plaza at 4840 Forest Drive in Forest Acres. The store will be located in space 12-C in the plaza, right next door to the Fresh Market grocery store.

A spokeswoman for the city of Forest Acres confirmed Monday that the city received plans last month for a J.Crew Factory location at Trenholm Plaza. The city said it does not yet have a completion date for the store. Work has already begun at the site, and there are building permits in the windows.

There are employment listings for the Forest Acres store on the jobs portal page on J.Crew’s website, noting the positions are for a “new J.Crew Factory, Trenholm Plaza.”

There previously was a J.Crew store in Trenholm Plaza for a number of years, though it closed in January 2021. But now the company plans to return to the center under the banner of J.Crew Factory, which typically offers more discounts than the traditional J.Crew storefronts.

“We think shopping should be fun,” J.Crew Factory says on its website. “Actually, really fun. As in, scoring the J.Crew style you’ve always loved at prices that can’t be beat. Whether you love special details, unique fabrics or classic colors, we’ve got quality clothes that make you look and feel your best. Plus, we believe that picking up your favorite looks in stores and online shouldn’t mean spending an arm and a leg, so there are always deals waiting for you.”

The Post and Courier Columbia first reported on the J.Crew Factory at Trenholm Plaza.

The coming J.Crew Factory store in Forest Acres will be in the space that was formerly occupied by men’s clothier Jos. A. Bank, which closed last year.

Trenholm Plaza has remained a busy, popular shopping hub in Forest Acres. The Publix grocery store there announced late last year that it would be expanding its space to 46,000 square feet. National retailers HomeGoods, Sephora and Bath & Body Works have all opened new locations in Trenholm Plaza in the last year.